Writing Resources
At SMU, we are committed to fostering academic excellence in writing, which is a vital skill for academic success and professional growth. We believe that strong writing is essential for clear communication, critical thinking, and effective leadership.
Our comprehensive resources, from personalized writing support to career-focused workshops, are designed to help students and faculty hone their skills—whether learning writing or teaching—regardless of their ability at every stage of their academic journey.Explore the resources below to discover how SMU supports your growth as a confident and skilled writer or writing instructor.
Career and Professional Writing
At SMU, our Career and Professional Writing resources are designed to equip students with the skills necessary to excel in the workplace and beyond. We offer workshops, one-on-one consultations, and access to online tools that help students refine their resumes, cover letters, and professional portfolios.
Additionally, students can receive guidance on writing for specific industries, from business and law to the arts and sciences, ensuring they effectively communicate their expertise and stand out in their chosen field. These resources are available to support students at every stage of their academic and professional journey.
Common Writing Textbooks
Common textbooks play a critical role in developing students’ writing skills by providing shared learning experiences that foster critical thinking, analysis, and communication. At SMU, student engage with a diverse selection of texts from various genres, disciplines, and cultural perspectives, allowing them to explore different writing styles and techniques.
Within their Common Curriculum requirements, two common textbooks serve as a basis for their academic writing. These texts serve as models for writing while encouraging students to articulate their own ideas clearly and effectively.
Within their Common Curriculum requirements, two common textbooks serve as a basis for their academic writing. These texts serve as models for writing while encouraging students to articulate their own ideas clearly and effectively.
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Dedman College ESL Program
The ESL (English as a Second Language) Program at SMU is designed to assist non-native English-speaking students in succeeding at the university level. In addition to working with the Writing Center's ESL specialist, ESL students may reach out to the Dedman College ESL program for additional help with developing their speaking and writing in English.
Office of General Education
The Office of General Education provides leadership in undergraduate education across campus and collaborates with faculty on the Council on General Education and the Writing Board to support students in strengthening their writing skills. Through SMU's Common Curriculum, students engage in four distinct writing experiences, demonstrating their development and mastery of writing throughout their academic journey.
SMU Libraries
From developing sound research questions to building evidence through quality sources, good writing begins with strong research. SMU Libraries helps students locate, evaluate, and incorporate scholarly information into their writing projects. We offer support to faculty designing assignments that integrate research with writing, fostering students’ critical thinking and scholarly communication skills.
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- Canvas tutorials, including Research and Academic Arguments, Conducting a Literature Review, Introduction to Scholarship, Writing Responsibly, and Citation in various styles
- Faculty Guide for Research Assignment Design
- How do I...? Citation
- How do I...? Literature Reviews
- How do I...? Start Your Research Paper
- How do I...? Take Notes & Read Sources
- How do I...? Types of Research Papers & Research Questions
- SMU Libraries YouTube Playlists
Writing Center
The Writing Center is a resource for all SMU undergraduates who need help with an academic writing or presentation project of any kind from arts to STEM, but we also offer help on personal statements, application essays, and other preprofessional communications.
Writing Competitions & Opportunities
Writing competitions offer students a unique opportunity to showcase their critical inquiry and creativity, sharpen their writing skills, and gain recognition. Share your work with our SMU community!